Rebble

Rebble is a community-driven project that provides an alternative firmware and app ecosystem for Pebble smartwatches. Pebble, a company that pioneered the smartwatch market, ceased operations in 2016, and its official services were eventually shut down. Rebble emerged to fill this void, allowing users to continue using their existing Pebble devices with a revived set of functionalities.

The Rebble project offers a cloud service that mimics Pebble's defunct servers, enabling features like app installation from the Pebble appstore, watchface updates, and communication between the watch and its companion app on a smartphone. Users can install the Rebble firmware on their Pebble watches, which then connects to the Rebble cloud. This allows access to a curated selection of apps and watchfaces that have been made compatible with the Rebble platform.

Beyond maintaining core functionality, Rebble also introduces new features and improvements not present in the original Pebble firmware. The project is developed and maintained by volunteers, and its success relies on the contributions of its community. While it cannot replicate all the original services, Rebble has extended the lifespan of Pebble smartwatches and continues to be a popular choice for those who still own and appreciate the unique simplicity and battery life of these devices. The project aims to preserve the Pebble experience for its dedicated user base.